Better health and ageing for all Australians

Rural and Regional Health

Rural and Regional Health Australia

Welcome to the Australian Government’s Rural and Regional Health Australia page.

In this section:

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You can get to this page using the short URL
www.health.gov.au/ruralhealth

With as many as seven million people living in regional Australia, the availability and access to current and local information about regional health and aged care programs and services can be a challenge.

In 2012-13, Rural and Regional Health Australia will continue to provide advice to the public about needs, policies and service delivery in health and aged care in regional Australia.

Australians living in rural, regional and remote Australia, including Indigenous Australians, can access information on health programs and services in their local area by calling the Rural and Regional Health Australia Information Line on 1800 899 538*, emailing Rural Health Australia or writing to:

Rural and Regional Health Australia
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 1053
GPO Box 9848
Canberra ACT 2601

The Rural and Regional Health Australia website is available, with information to be added progressively. The website provides place-based information that will allow consumers, providers and planners, including Medicare Locals in regional Australia, to search for information about health programs and services available in their region.

Rural and Regional Health Australia will also take on a strong senior advocacy role within Government to ensure a whole of government approach to tackling regional health issues. It will also provide high level input to budget and policy development on key regional, rural and remote health and ageing funding issues.

National Strategic Framework for Rural and Remote Health

The National Strategic Framework for Rural and Remote Health promotes a national approach to policy, planning, design and delivery of health services in rural and remote communities.

The Framework has been developed through the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council’s Rural Health Standing Committee with the valued input of the National Rural Health Alliance and a wide range of other rural health stakeholders.

For a copy of the Framework go to Rural Health Australia.

* free from most fixed line phones anywhere in Australia. If using a mobile phone, the charge rate is determined by the mobile service provider.